Additional information

body or mind	Body
Field	Medical Field
Boss or Team	Own Boss
Communication	Good Communicator
Work With	People
Math & Science	Maths & Science
Study Length	Prepared to Study for Years
Environment	Busy Environment

General Medical Practitioner

General Practitioners look after the health and well-being of their patients and communities. They treat and diagnose injuries. General practitioners have very close relationships with their patients.

Day to day duties may include examining and diagnosing patients, prescribing medicines and sometimes performing minor operations. Thorough knowledge of diseases and their symptoms is required for this diagnosis and treatment.

General practitioners may also refer patients to a specialist.

How to be a General Medical Practitioner in South Africa

Get the Required Qualifications

To become a general medical practitioner in South Africa, you will typically need the following qualifications:

Certificate (National Senior Certificate or NC(v))
Bachelor’s Degree (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery)

Demonstrate Competence in the Required Subjects

Entry requirements may differ per institution, but you will generally be expected to show competency in the following subjects:

Accumulate Years of Relevant Study and Experience

General medical practitioners in South Africa typically study for 7-8 Years including 6 years spent on theoretical training, one year spent on internship, and another year spent on community service.

Find Relevant Employment Opportunities

After completing your studies you will need to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) before you can practise medicine.

General medical practitioners in South Africa often work in the following places:

Public and Private Hospitals
Universities
Research laboratories
Clinics and nursing homes
Government departments and municipalities
Large industries and organisations
Large resort hotels, ships and other places where large groups of people gather
Private Medical Practice

Find More Information from Relevant Regulatory Bodies

To find more information about general medical practitioners, contact the Health Professionals Council of South Africa (HPCSA).